Good morning,
Another History lesson
Paradise has really been on our minds since last week. We live in California only three hours travel south of Paradise, a small town that has become well known all around the world. Without any warning, a small fire became a raging forest fire that destroyed the town and several smaller towns around it in just a few hours time. In that short period of time hundreds of people died, almost all of the buildings there have been burned and the thousands of people who were able to escape the roaring flames are now homeless and in shock. Actually, all this year, we in America as well as parts the rest of the world have found ourselves overwhelmed by wind and water and fire so powerful that we know that something is going badly wrong with our world. Although it’s new to us, when we read the Bible we realize that it is not at all new from a historical point of view. The first book of the Bible tells us that the people of their day became so wicked and hate filled that the Creator God who gave them life sent a flood so powerful that it destroyed all human life except for eight people who knew and loved their Creator. God didn’t stop loving people then, but has allowed generation after generation since then to live and learn of his love. In Isaiah’s time he told us, And do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God—I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me.(Is.46:9)
When the prophet Isaiah was alive, the world around him was boiling with wars and threats against the people who were part of God’s special people, the Jews. Even his special people were walking away from him and becoming like all the angry, hate filled people around them. At one time their country had been very strong and their people were really trying to follow and serve God, but then their children and their children’s children began living more and more like God’s enemies. God allowed their enemies to become strong enough to shrink the size of their country. Then he promised those who kept faithful to him, Listen to me, all you who are left in Israel. I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age.(Is.46:3,4) Even though they were surrounded by danger on every side, God said, I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.(v.4) Another reason why Paradise has been on my mind, is that what God told us in the Old Testament is just as true for those of us who live now after Jesus came to live with us two thousand years ago. When Jesus died in our place he went to Paradise to get those who were righteous, ready for an awesome move. After he rose again, Jesus led his people from Paradise to Heaven. The finished work of Jesus made them all righteous and ready to begin living with their Savior and Heavenly Father at their new and eternal home. Paul explained what this meant to the disciples then and us now as, Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. All those of us who are not Jews are now as welcome in heaven as those who moved from Paradise to Heaven before us. He continued explaining, So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.(Eph.2:18,19) Thank you Lord that the promises that you made to the Old Testament saints are meant for us as well. We love you, Lord. Thanks be to God for all of his gracious gifts in time and into eternity.
Isaiah 46:9 And do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God—I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me.
Roy Wisner
